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It sounds like I'm being a pain in the ass, but actually I had a lot of fun picking these out and just seeing the televised version of the NYC political process. Not that I have anything to do with Congressional elections but still!
1. New York City does not have one congressman. It has about 12. (Actually it does, I just counted. Go me!) Manhattan has three. You guys hear a lot about Jerrold Nadler? Because he was the congressman for lower Manhattan when 9/11 happened. They just. . . really inflate this position.
2. New York City also does not have electronic voting booths. (They are thinking of getting them, though!)
3. Election coverage on television, even local television, even in an off-year election, does not consist of huge numbers filling the screen and then "Landslide Victory!!" in corny graphics (Also, I'm pretty sure electronic voting booths, where they are used, don't look so corny and low budget either).
4. I think federal election law has some rules about accepting $4 million corporate contributions. (They do.) And even if it was from Linderman's private funds, they're way outside the contribution limit. What Linderman probably would have done is some sketchy bundling, nominee contributions, stuff like that. Definitely comitted some serious fraud. It's totally plausible that he did do so and that when people were talking about Linderman being a major campaign contributor it was in private - they did do that fake FBI raid thing. Hmm.
OK so the Supreme Court hates people and it's now Feb 11, 2010, and they just decided that corporations could make unlimited (seriously?) contributions to political campaigns. D: D: D: AUGH.
Anyway, luckily the FEC doesn't update their website promptly? Cos it still says:
Prohibited Contributions and Expenditures
The FECA places prohibitions on contributions and expenditures by certain individuals and organizations. The following are prohibited from making contributions or expenditures to influence federal elections:
-Corporations;
-Labor organizations;
-Federal government contractors; and
-Foreign nationals.
Furthermore, with respect to federal elections:
-No one may make a contribution in another person's name.
-No one may make a contribution in cash of more than $100.
In addition to the above prohibitions on contributions and expenditures in federal election campaigns, the FECA also prohibits foreign nationals, national banks and other federally chartered corporations from making contributions or expenditures in connection with state and local elections.
5. Oh my god after he papered the city with posters, this guy did no campaigning. We see him do a little at the beginning and his campaign manager nags him a bit, but. . . he really never does any work on this campaign. I know he's got a lot going on but they are still trying to cast him as dedicated to his political goals above all else. No wonder he was behind.
6. If he really wanted to make up those 5 measly points, he would have put the $4 million to a massive GOTV operation, possibly aided by some unions. XD But we never even hear the words "get out the vote" so I can only assume the money went to television ads that they made without Nathan ever participating. Poor decisions.
7. I know they're trying to not put Nathan with any political party, but that information should seriously be on the ballot. Unless it's a special election, but it really doesn't seem like it - Nathan's been preparing for a long time and special elections happen fast, even if they delayed it somehow to fold it in with any regular elections happening Nov 7. So I'm ruling that out, in which case the ballot is just really weird - even apart from the graphics being so lame.
Bonus: District Attorney is a totally legitimate jumping off point to becoming a congressman. (So is being from a really wealthy and powerful family. Sad but realistic!)
Anyway, the whole thing makes me happy despite the inaccuracies. Or perhaps because of them!
1. New York City does not have one congressman. It has about 12. (Actually it does, I just counted. Go me!) Manhattan has three. You guys hear a lot about Jerrold Nadler? Because he was the congressman for lower Manhattan when 9/11 happened. They just. . . really inflate this position.
2. New York City also does not have electronic voting booths. (They are thinking of getting them, though!)
3. Election coverage on television, even local television, even in an off-year election, does not consist of huge numbers filling the screen and then "Landslide Victory!!" in corny graphics (Also, I'm pretty sure electronic voting booths, where they are used, don't look so corny and low budget either).
4. I think federal election law has some rules about accepting $4 million corporate contributions. (They do.) And even if it was from Linderman's private funds, they're way outside the contribution limit. What Linderman probably would have done is some sketchy bundling, nominee contributions, stuff like that. Definitely comitted some serious fraud. It's totally plausible that he did do so and that when people were talking about Linderman being a major campaign contributor it was in private - they did do that fake FBI raid thing. Hmm.
OK so the Supreme Court hates people and it's now Feb 11, 2010, and they just decided that corporations could make unlimited (seriously?) contributions to political campaigns. D: D: D: AUGH.
Anyway, luckily the FEC doesn't update their website promptly? Cos it still says:
Prohibited Contributions and Expenditures
The FECA places prohibitions on contributions and expenditures by certain individuals and organizations. The following are prohibited from making contributions or expenditures to influence federal elections:
-Corporations;
-Labor organizations;
-Federal government contractors; and
-Foreign nationals.
Furthermore, with respect to federal elections:
-No one may make a contribution in another person's name.
-No one may make a contribution in cash of more than $100.
In addition to the above prohibitions on contributions and expenditures in federal election campaigns, the FECA also prohibits foreign nationals, national banks and other federally chartered corporations from making contributions or expenditures in connection with state and local elections.
5. Oh my god after he papered the city with posters, this guy did no campaigning. We see him do a little at the beginning and his campaign manager nags him a bit, but. . . he really never does any work on this campaign. I know he's got a lot going on but they are still trying to cast him as dedicated to his political goals above all else. No wonder he was behind.
6. If he really wanted to make up those 5 measly points, he would have put the $4 million to a massive GOTV operation, possibly aided by some unions. XD But we never even hear the words "get out the vote" so I can only assume the money went to television ads that they made without Nathan ever participating. Poor decisions.
7. I know they're trying to not put Nathan with any political party, but that information should seriously be on the ballot. Unless it's a special election, but it really doesn't seem like it - Nathan's been preparing for a long time and special elections happen fast, even if they delayed it somehow to fold it in with any regular elections happening Nov 7. So I'm ruling that out, in which case the ballot is just really weird - even apart from the graphics being so lame.
Bonus: District Attorney is a totally legitimate jumping off point to becoming a congressman. (So is being from a really wealthy and powerful family. Sad but realistic!)
Anyway, the whole thing makes me happy despite the inaccuracies. Or perhaps because of them!
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no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 06:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 06:22 pm (UTC)I've heard Nadler's name, but not really anything about him, and I work in City politics. Btw, if it's not clear or you're not familiar with the show or whatever, Nathan Petrelli runs for congress in Heroes, and everyone's all like "This crisis is coming to NYC, but if you become a Congressman that crisis will actually help you become a really important figure!" Which doesn't seem to be how it worked out for Jerry?
no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 06:25 pm (UTC)Jerry Nadler is like the most awesome representative alive! He is my favorite and I love voting for him. He is super pro-healthcare reform and is proposing reforms to the Patriot Act and wants to replace all NYC taxis with hybrids.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 06:36 pm (UTC)Yaaay! I kind of think my representative is a union tool but apart from that I don't know much about him. I'm in Mike McMahon's district and he was elected when Obama was.
Replacing taxis with hybrids sounds like a great idea! Although expensive?
no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 06:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-02 07:37 pm (UTC)I know it's not quite the same thing, but if you want to see awesome political campaigning on a realistic level, watch The Wire. It doesn't really kick in on the political front until season 3, but Carcetti is one campaign-y motherfucker. He scarcely even has time to slip into the actor's native Irish accent, that's how busy he is with campaigning. Also, everyone should watch The Wire 'cos it's FREAKIN' AWESOME.
no subject
Date: 2009-10-03 11:46 pm (UTC)